Auditing

Auditing for mid-sized companies, based in Hamburg and active throughout Germany.

People rarely pick up the phone simply because they want an audit. Usually the bank requires reliable annual financial statements, shareholders leave, or the thresholds of Section 267 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) have been exceeded, meaning the company counts as at least medium-sized and what was optional becomes mandatory.

At SKNvonGEYSO, certified public accountants work under the same roof as tax advisers and lawyers. Where others have to coordinate three firms, we resolve matters internally.

We are a partner-led, mid-sized law firm with our own certified public accountants: the person who explains the audit to you is also the person responsible for it.

What we do for you

Statutory audits: statutory audits of annual and consolidated financial statements under HGB and IFRS, plus statutory special audits ranging from the Ordinance for Brokers and Property Developers (MaBV) to the Transformation Act (UmwG).
Voluntary audits: audits of financial statements without a statutory requirement, audit reviews, audits of internal control and risk management systems, embezzlement audits.
Reasonableness testing of financial statements: the route to bank-ready annual financial statements, with a certificate.
Company valuation: determining value for purchases, sales, changes of shareholders, conversions and inheritance, in accordance with IDW S 1 “Principles for the Performance of Business Valuations”.
Due diligence: assessment of a company before a purchase, sale or investment, with finance, tax and law from a single source.
Opinions & trustee activities: independent second opinions, court and arbitration opinions, fiduciary administration.

Contacts

The experts to match.

Gerold Winter

Partner, Diplom-Kaufmann, Wirtschaftsprüfer und Steuerberater

+49 40 697989-215

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Olaf Oestreich

Geschäftsführender Partner, Diplom-Ökonom, Wirtschaftsprüfer und Steuerberater, Fachberater für Gesundheitswesen (IBG/HS Bremerhaven)

+49 40 697989-215

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Rainer Maack

Partner, Diplom-Kaufmann, Wirtschaftsprüfer, Steuerberater, Fachberater für Controlling und Finanzwirtschaft (DStV e.V.)

+49 40 697989-216

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Frequently asked questions about auditing

Answers to the questions our clients ask us most often before an audit.

When is my company subject to a statutory audit?

When it exceeds at least two of the three size criteria of Section 267 HGB, i.e. balance sheet total, revenue and number of employees, on two consecutive reporting dates and therefore counts as at least medium-sized. We will clarify in advance whether this applies to you.

How much does an audit of financial statements cost?

That depends on size, complexity and the state of your accounting. Clean, digitally maintained accounting noticeably reduces the effort involved. We give you a range before you engage us, so that there are no surprises afterwards.

Can you audit us if you also provide tax advice?

Not for the same company in the same period: the independence of the statutory audit is protected by law. That is precisely why it is an advantage to have both disciplines under one roof: we know from the outset which arrangement is permissible and tell you before any effort is incurred.

Is an audit worthwhile even though we are not required to have one?

Often, yes, usually when third parties are looking at your figures: banks, investors, buyers, co-shareholders. Audited financial statements shorten discussions that would otherwise take weeks.

How long does an audit take?

For mid-sized companies, the period between preparation and the audit opinion is usually a few weeks. We audit digitally and largely on site, which bundles queries instead of spreading them over months.